OFW gets more job ops in New Zealand

MANILA — Citing New Zealand’s growing economy and the need for more labor force, New Zealand ambassador to the Philippines assured more job opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“The reality is we are a growing economy that needs immigration. We need people to come in to fill jobs,” Reuben Levermore, New Zealand Ambassador said in a report for ABS-CBN.

Levermore added that there is a continuing need for skilled Filipino accountants, engineers, farm managers and nurses.

“I’m confident it’s going to continue,” he said.

He also said that OFWs are given high regard in New Zealand for their positive image and reputation and added that as a matter of fact, statistics have shown the size of Filipino communities to double in the past years.

In 2012, the Commission on Overseas Filipino has recorded a total of 35,175 overseas workers in New Zealand.

The data includes all types of workers including temporary, permanent, and irregular workers.

“We’ve seen in the last 7 or 8 years the Filipino community has more than doubled in size. In New Zealand, they now represent 1 percent of that population,” he said.

Levermore is also inviting Filipinos to New Zealand’s trade fair on June 20-22, 2014 at the Glorietta Activity Center.

“If you can’t go to New Zealand, we are bringing it to you. By introducing people to New Zealand food and wine it’s a nice little taste of things to come. This year, we’ve extended the food and beverage fair to also incorporate the travel component because we would also like to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination for Filipinos,” the ambassador said.